According to a BMW official press release, "For those whose definition of pure driving pleasure includes wind in the face and sunshine above, the new BMW 1 Series Convertible follows the tradition established by the iconic BMW 2002 sport sedan. The essence of such driving purity - a responsive six-cylinder engine positioned within a rear-drive chassis to provide balanced, sporty dynamics - is at the heart of this compact four-place convertible."
Two 1 Series models are bound for the US: the 135i Convertible and the all new BMW 128i Convertible model.
The 135i Convertible comes with the BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine under its hood capable of producing 300 horsepower and pulls out 300 lb-ft amount of peak torque from 1,400 rpm. This power unit features piezo gasoline injectors, twin low-mass turbochargers, and air-to-air intercooler. With these, the engine offers a powerful performance and impressive fuel economy. The engine also enables the 135i Convertible to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.6 seconds, reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
Meanwhile, the BMW 128i Convertible is equipped with the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that generates 230 horsepower and develops 200 lb-ft amount of peak torque. The engine comes with powertrain features like Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum/magnesium cylinder block construction.
Both models in the BMW 1 Series Convertible models comes with the traditional BMW design 
Moving inside, these two BMW 1 Series Convertible models for the US market feature a comfortable interior with a host of in-car information and entertainment amenities. These include sporty standard upholstery of Leatherette, sports bucket seats with enhanced side support, climate-control system with three standard modes (gentle, medium and intensive), SIRIUS satellite radio, HD radio, optional Premium Sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 player connection, auxiliary input jack, optional USB port for direct control of an Apple iPod, optional navigation system, BMW iDrive controller integrated in the center console, and a spacious storage space.
In addition, the BMW 1 Series Convertible for the US also comes with a wide array of passive and active safety equipments. These include advanced frontal airbags, side airbags integrated into the sides of the front seat backrests, crash-optimized seats with specially padded headrests and backrests, three point inertia reel seat belts and headrests, standard LATCH attachments for child seats, roll-over sensor, and front-seat-belt tensioners.
On the technical side, the BMW 1 comes with a high-tech suspension with newly-developed differential. The front suspension consists of aluminum double-pivot, while the five-link fully independent rear suspension is made from lightweight steel. Other tech feats include standard BMW Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) function.
These two BMW 1 Series Convertible models will enter the U.S. and compete with the other models in the segment including Volvo convertibles with Volvo accessories.
About the author:
Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.
